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Report on Guru Purnima, 2nd July
2004
GURU
PURNIMA REPORT
The moon was at its
perfect round spreading its cool over minds that were agitated by
the world and by the worldly…and, at dawn when the Sun slowly
emerged from the eastern horizon beaming its brilliant splendour
over Prasanthi Nilayam, it was those thousands with one prayer and
one attention invoking the Guru of all gurus nay the Lord of all
gods against the backdrop of Omkar, Suprabhatam and Vedic chants
that set the stage and tone for the Guru Purnima celebrations at
Prasanthi Nilayam.
The day was Pournami
in the month of Ashada in the vernacular calendar, 2nd July as per
Anglican Calendar, most auspicious for the spiritual seeker, the
day dedicated to Sadguru. Sai Kulwant Hall was beautifully
decorated with floral buntings and colourful lightings and more
than that, by the mere presence of those thousands with prayerful
hearts…invoking the Lord. And came He… into the assembly of
devotees at 6:50 a.m. to the accompaniment of Panchavadyam, and
Vedic chants by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning. Bhagawan profusely blessed the devotees by going a full
round in the Sai Kulwant Hall before settling Himself on the
specially decorated dais.
This day was
dedicated to the Guru and in the physical presence of the Sadguru,
students from the Institute sung in praise of Guru…glory of
Sadguru…Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
On this occasion twenty two physically challenged persons from the
district of Anantapur were blessed by Bhagawan with specially made
tricycles.
Before the nectarous divine discourse by Bhagawan, two senior
devotees, Sri Indulal Shah, former President of Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organisations (Overseas) and Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman,
Prasanthi Council (overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organisations for many countries) shared their thoughts with the
devotees. Sri Indulal Shah in his short but authoritative speech
exhorted the gathering of devotees to ask themselves three
questions...What is unique about Swami?...Why have we come
here?...Whether Bhagawan’s teachings have influenced our lives?
God does not come in human form very often; but when it happens it
is for a profound reason…he reiterated to the audience. How to
express our gratitude to this highest manifestation of
divinity?...Only by making a strong commitment to put into
practice His teachings in our daily life…Truly in His image of
love, serve one and all…said Sri Shah before concluding his
speech.
Dr. Goldstein started his speech with an inspiring anecdote that
happened many years back at His divine Lotus Feet. In his own
words…“Many years ago I had the good fortune to be seated at
Swami’s Divine Lotus Feet…and I was there as a child. He was
gazing out of the window, and He seemed to be looking at a great
distance…not at the trees and the people in the buildings
outside…but beyond this world...light years away. …Innocently as a
child I had the humility to ask Swami, ‘Swami, will you permit me
to see the world thru’ your eyes?’ Swami looked at me and He
smiled lovingly like the Divine Mother and Father that He is. …And
He said, ‘If I let you see, you will not want to do job, you will
not want your home, your will not want your family, you will not
want your body.’ How many times has Bhagawan instructed us that we
are not these bodies, that we are not these minds, we are the
Divine Indweller who resides in our spiritual hearts…Many times
Swami has instructed us to understand that the body is merely a
vehicle for the Divine Indweller” said Dr. Goldstein. …He
concluded his speech with the following statement: “I witnessed
Bhagawan Baba’s omnipresence. I witnessed Bhagawan Baba’s various
miracles, the spiritual transformation of people everywhere thru’
His love…Truly I witnessed the Power of God”.
Bhagawan showered His nectarous divine discourse urging devotees
to develop love. He said when you call Me ‘Sai’ wholeheartedly
with love, I will at once respond to your prayers. Referring to
those physically challenged persons to whom tricycles were
distributed Bhagawan said that He was deeply moved on seeing
Sevadals physically lifting and putting them in the cycles.
Bhagawan added that one should have love and sympathy for such
physically challenged brethren.
As per Bhagawan’s instructions Sri K. Chakravarthi, Secretary, Sri
Sathya Sai Central Trust conveyed a special message from Bhagawan
to devotees.
Devotees should aspire only for Bhagawan’s love…they
should pray only for Bhagawan’s love and nothing else ...And that
prayer is granted to us. Swami assures us that all our prayers are
subsumed under that prayer and His benediction of love to us is
the only message He says that we should all carry today. Let Swami
give us this steadfastness to pray only for the divine love of
Bhagawan.
Before the Divine Discourse Sri K. Chakravarthi, Secretary, Sri
Sathya Sai Central Trust conveyed the following message to the
office bearers of Sri Sathya Sai Organisational Units and devotees
in general.
“We are all aware that by the will and grace of Bhagawan His
message of Love, Peace and Harmony is spreading to different parts
of this country and to different parts of the world. …And
countless devotees experience the transformative part of the
divine love of Bhagawan and also witness the transformation that
is taking place in their own lives and in the lives of others.
…But, however, there are many persons who take the holy name of
Bhagawan and use it for their narrow business and commercial
pursuits. It takes the form of use of the name of Bhagawan and His
photos and make it as a part of their business entities, giving an
impression that these entities are part of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organisations or that they have been specially blessed by
Bhagawan. In order that well meaning devotees exercise prudent,
caution, discernment etc. and also to caution these devotees from
falling prey to that, it is necessary that the Sri Sathya Sai
Organisations in this country and other countries periodically
bring to the notice of the devotees that they have not been in
anyway specially blessed by Swami. Under a statute known as the
Emblems and Names Prevention of Improper use Act 1950, Government
of India notified certain national names and emblems, included
them in the schedule to the Act, so that such names and emblems
are protected and ensured that they are not commercially
exploited. Taking note of the universality of Bhagawan and His
Trust, the Government of India had recently notified and included
the name of Bhagawan as Sri Sathya Sai and the Sri Sathya Sai
Central Trust and the emblems, and no one therefore is entitled
under the Act to continue to use these name or these symbols;
violation of this is punishable under the Act. Therefore, it is
necessary that the various Sri Sathya Sai Organisational Units
here and abroad to take note of it and the devotees are advised
not to lend credence to any such spurious claims.”
Source:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Trust/Updations.htm
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